Egyptian authorities acted on a tip on Wednesday and raided an apartment in eastern Cairo, discovering and arresting a leading Muslim Brotherhood leader who had been on the run for months.
Essam el-Erian, the deputy leader of the Muslim Brotherhood’s political offshoot, the Freedom and Justice Party, has been hiding since the July 3 ouster of former President Mohammed Morsi, The Associated Press reported. The Interior Minister said officials received a tip that he was hiding in the New Cairo suburban apartment and sent law enforcement to the scene.
Mr. El-Erian was considered a moderate member of the Muslim Brotherhood who turned radical after the coup.
Mr. Morsi, for his part, is in jail, due to appear for a Nov. 4 hearing on charges of inciting violence in the streets. After his coup, Egyptian authorities cracked down on the Muslim Brotherhood — Mr. Morsi’s key support system — and arrested hundreds.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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